Brrrrrr!

What a week we have had. A cold front decided to move in and try to freeze us all! We have been at home and all week because it is just too cold to be outside when it there are highs in the teens and low 20's. It is no fun to be out in it at all, let alone with two children, one of which is still a newborn. We have technically left the house but only for absolute necessities.

My mom came by to visit Monday because she was off for the day and Gavin wanted her to visit. It was nice to visit and Gavin really enjoyed some time with Grandma. It was also nice to not have to leave the house since it was cold, cloudy, and supposed to snow (well, flurry, but still much nicer to stay home). Tuesday was even colder and even though we were going to visit a friend of mine, we ended up staying home because Gavin took a longer nap and slept too late for us to go and still get home before rush hour traffic hit. Wednesday was somehow even colder so we stayed in all day and played again. 

Yesterday was just as cold but we ended up having to run out because we were out of milk. I decided we would just run out quickly after Gavin's nap and get milk for him and also make a quick stop at the bank since we were going to be out. I was hoping that since we were going in the afternoon and the sun was out it would be a bit warmer. No such luck. It was ridiculously cold and windy. I am just glad that both places are quick in and out and I am spoiled with the remote start on the Terrain so the inside stayed nice and toasty for us. With an added bonus for me with the heated seats! We had to go out last night too for haircuts, for Scott and Gavin. It ended with a major meltdown from Gavin and only Scott getting a haircut. Oh well, we will have to go another time for Gavin.

I am hoping that it either warms up a bit soon so we can be outside and go places without freezing or we get some snow so it feels like the freezing cold temperatures are worth it! Until then we are mostly hibernating at home to avoid being frozen! 

A few pictures from our fun week inside!

 

Dressed for the day and ready to play!

 

Happy boy enjoying the lights and toys under the play gym!

 

 

Building with legos! 

 

Fun with stickers and coloring!

 

Aftermath of a delicious post nap freshly made cookie (chocolate chips, toasted coconut, and toasted pecans)!

Mr. Happy!

Hoping for More Snow!

We are now already halfway through January and the snow from after Christmas is almost gone, due to some warmer weather, and there is no significant snow in the forecast! We will maybe see an inch or two tonight into tomorrow but I would much rather have a day (or two or three) where we can be snowed in and watch it snow all day. Gavin loves being out in the snow so I would love to have it also be at a time when Scott is home and can either take him out or take care of Dane while I take Gavin out (because it is often just too cold to take Dane outside these days). I guess I can't be too picky so I will be happy just to see a little snow here and there.

Until then, a couple of cute pictures of Gavin enjoying his vitamin (he recently found some Flintstones gummy vitamins and we let him start taking them), a waffle, and watching The Lorax!

 

 

Dane at 2 Months

It has been a rough day around here. Poor Dane had his 2 month well baby checkup this morning which meant he got his first round of shots (3 actual shots and one oral vaccine) and Gavin decided to be mostly uncooperative this morning and so it took longer than it should have to get ready. It also made the whole time we were gone pretty miserable because there was a bit of a wait (highly unusual but they were behind because of computer issues... I love that they use computers instead of all paper charts because that's makes it easier for them to reference other information but unfortunately if their systems are down, it delays everyone) and so we were into nap time when we normally would have already been home. Oh well.

Dane is doing very well and growing fast! Hopefully he will feel better (from getting shots) and return to his normal happy and mellow self because the poor boy has been a bit miserable when awake today and only wants to be held (which I have no problem doing).

•13 pounds 14 ounces
•24.75 inches
•Dane has pretty much moved onto mostly 3-6 month clothing already. Some 0-3 month clothing still fits but most has been packed away, along with all the newborn clothing. He is not really growing out of things faster than Gavin, but the cloth diapers require a bit more room so he sort of fits into bigger clothing sooner. Although not all bigger clothing really fits him because he mostly just needs the length (because we have tall babies) and a little extra room for his diapers.
•Dane is now able to wear a few of Gavin's old diapers on the smallest settings, although they still are a little big and the wings overlap, at least he has diapers that are easier for Scott to put on since he isn't a big fan of the prefold and cover (even though I absolutely love them).
•Dane is a super happy and mellow baby. It seems like he is always smiling and cooing when he is awake. He is so sweet! He usually only cries if he is hungry but occasionally if he wants a dry diaper or is a bit overtired because he was woken up from too many naps that day but those seem to be pretty rare.
•He really enjoys laying under the play gym now. He loves the music and colors and talks to the animal toys hanging down, kicking and smiling away. I really enjoy watching him do this but it is also great because it allows me to do things with and for Gavin that can't wait until Dane is napping and it also allows me to be able to step away for a few minutes to do other things when needed. I spend quite a bit of time just watching him though because it is so cute!
•Dane is starting to reach out for things. Not all the movements seem entirely intentional yet, but some seem to be and they are becoming more frequent.
•Dane loves when music comes on, whether it is from a movie or just a day we have music on, if he is a little fussy, he calms right down. He also loves to dance around just like Gavin did (and still does since we spend a lot of time each day doing that).
•Dane generally loves tummy time. He is happy to just lay there, even when he doesn't want to lift his head up to look around. He has even take some cap naps during tummy time when he decides he is tired. I hope this doesn't mean trouble for us and he figures out rolling and crawling sooner than Gavin did.
•Dane has started to enjoy and insist on standing while looking around. He is already working hard to build lots of muscles because he does so well with the standing and holding his head!

Although I know Dane is only two months old, in some ways he already seems so big. I really enjoy when he seems little (like when comparing to holding Gavin) because it all goes by much too fast. I look at Gavin and have a hard time really believing he was ever Dane's size, even though I know (and remember) he was. I am glad that Dane is healthy, growing (consistently), and learning. I just wish it was a bit slower sometimes!

Brother Love

Gavin loves his little brother! He loves to give him hugs and kisses! Gavin (thankfully) seems to be adjusting fine!

Sledding!

Today we went up the road to a place called Burger Hill to take Gavin sledding. He really liked sledding down the tiny hill we have in the backyard so we were hoping he would enjoy a real sledding experience.

Once Gavin and Scott were all dressed for the cold (it was cold and windy but at least the sun was out), they headed up the hill. It was great because we had the whole place to ourselves! Dane was passed out in his car seat so instead of bundling him and myself up and putting him in the Beco, I stayed with Dane at the car and just jumped out to take a few pictures and some video (and to make sure Scott and Gavin were okay. 

Gavin had a great time going down a few times but then found the other side of the hill and the little pond and it was difficult to get him to refocus on why we were there. He is obsessed with all things water related, especially outside. Whether it is splashing in puddles, throwing rocks in water, spraying the hose, or spray bottles, once he finds a way to play in/with water it is difficult to get him to so anything else. We convinced him to go back up the hill to sled but this time Scott took him up higher. He had done so well, he had to be able to handle up higher. No such luck. He ended up hitting a bump and the sled tipped and Gavin didn't understand he needed to let go and instead went part way down on the iced over snow on his face. Awesome. His face is pretty scraped up and he was very unhappy (rightfully so). 

That ended our sledding for the day but after Gavin calmed down he happily jumped in the puddles/iced mud and threw rocks at them for a bit before we headed home for nap time. Despite the unfortunate ending, we had a lot of fun and look forward to more snow and sledding this winter!